For travel professionals, understanding and leveraging travel agent rates is crucial for providing clients with the best possible deals while maximizing their own benefits. Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), with its vast portfolio of over 6,000 hotels and 19 distinct brands, offers a dedicated program for travel agents. This guide will delve into the world of Intercontinental Hotel Group Travel Agent Rates, outlining how agents can access exclusive discounts, commissions, training, and rewards through IHG’s specialized programs.
Accessing the IHG Travel Agent Portal
IHG recognizes the vital role travel agents play and provides a dedicated online portal designed to streamline bookings and offer exclusive advantages. The IHG travel agent portal is your gateway to accessing agent-specific rates and managing client reservations efficiently.
To get started, accessing the portal is straightforward:
- Navigate to the IHG Agent Website: Open your web browser and go to https://www.ihgagent.com/. This is the central hub for IHG’s travel agent program.
- Login: If you are a registered user, enter your email address and password in the designated fields and click the “Login” button.
IHG Travel Agent Login Portal Interface
Alt text: Screenshot of the IHG Travel Agent portal login page, highlighting the email and password fields and the login button.
- Password Recovery: If you’ve forgotten your password, click on the “Forgot password” link. You will be prompted to enter your registered email address to initiate a password reset. Follow the instructions in the password reset email to create a new password and regain access.
New User Registration:
If you are new to the IHG Travel Agent program, you’ll need to register for an account:
- Click “Not registered yet?”: On the login page, locate and click the “Not registered yet?” link to begin the registration process.
- Provide Personal Information: Fill in the required fields, including your full name, email address, country of residence, region/province/state, and your professional title as a travel agent.
- Accreditation Details: Select your accreditation type (e.g., IATA, CLIA, ARC) and enter your accreditation number. Click “Validate.” If automatic validation is unsuccessful, you can still proceed with registration.
- IHG One Rewards Number: Enter your IHG One Rewards number. If you are not yet a member, it’s highly recommended to enroll in the IHG One Rewards program to maximize your benefits.
- Terms and Conditions: Carefully review the terms and conditions, and check the box to confirm your agreement.
- Sign Up: Click the “Sign Up” button to complete the registration. You will receive a verification link in your email. Click this link to activate your account and gain access to the IHG portal.
Booking Hotels and Resorts Through the IHG Platform
Once logged into the IHG system, booking accommodations for your clients is designed to be user-friendly and efficient. The IHG website offers a comprehensive booking system that allows you to search and reserve rooms across their extensive brand portfolio.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to booking hotels and resorts:
- Visit the IHG Homepage: Go to https://www.ihg.com/ to access the main booking interface.
- Enter Destination Details: In the search bar, enter the destination, including the city and, if necessary, specific landmarks or addresses to refine your search.
- Select Dates: Choose the check-in and check-out dates for your client’s stay using the calendar tool.
- Specify Guest Information: Indicate the number of guests who will be staying in the room.
- Choose Rate Preference: Select “Travel Consultant Discount Rates” or a similar option from the rate preference list to ensure you are accessing agent-specific pricing.
- Initiate Search: Click the “Search” button to view available hotels based on your criteria.
- Browse Hotel Options: The search results will display a list of IHG hotels in the chosen destination, along with their nightly rates.
- Select a Hotel: Review the hotel options, considering factors like location, amenities, and price, and select the most suitable hotel for your client.
- Choose a Room Type: Explore the available room types within the selected hotel and choose the one that best meets your client’s needs and preferences.
- Complete Payment: Proceed to the payment stage to finalize the booking and secure the reservation for your client.
Understanding IHG Travel Agent Commissions
Earning commission is a vital part of a travel agent’s income. IHG provides a commission structure for bookings made through their Luxury and Lifestyle program. Currently, the standard commission rate is set at 10% for eligible bookings within this program. IHG is actively exploring opportunities to increase commission earnings through special promotions and exclusive offers specifically within the Luxury and Lifestyle collection.
Commission Payment and Support:
IHG manages commission payments through IHG Commission Services. If you encounter any issues accessing your commission information or require assistance, you can reach out to IHG Commission Services directly:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +1 800 238 0270
IHG Travel Agent Training Programs
To ensure travel agents are well-equipped to represent IHG brands and provide exceptional service to clients, IHG offers comprehensive training programs.
IHG Travel Agent Training Program Image
Alt text: Image showcasing IHG Travel Agent Training program interface, emphasizing learning and professional development for travel agents.
IHG Agent University:
IHG Agent University, accessible through the https://www.ihgagent.com/ portal, is a valuable resource for agents. This online training program is designed to:
- Brand Familiarization: Provide in-depth knowledge of IHG’s diverse portfolio of brands, from luxury to extended stay options.
- Incentives and Promotions: Keep agents informed about the latest incentive programs and promotional offers to maximize client value and agent earnings.
- Hotel Openings and News: Provide updates on new hotel openings and important IHG news.
The IHG Agent University course is approximately five hours in length and is certified by The Travel Institute, signifying its quality and industry recognition. The curriculum covers essential information about IHG, the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, and detailed overviews of key IHG brands, including InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites.
The IHG agent website also serves as a central repository of information, offering resources on discounted rates, commission procedures, GDS format guides, descriptions of frequently booked IHG rates, and dedicated customer service contact details for travel agents.
IHG Travel Agent Rewards and Benefits
IHG values its travel agent partners and extends various rewards and benefits through the IHG One Rewards program. As an IHG One Rewards member, travel agents can accumulate points for reward nights, enjoy benefits like no blackout dates for reward stays, access exclusive member rates, and receive complimentary internet access and late check-out privileges.
The IHG One Rewards program features a tiered structure with five levels, each offering increasing benefits:
- Club Member: Entry-level membership, allowing you to earn points for reward nights with no blackout dates.
- Silver Elite: Includes a 20% bonus points earning, 10 qualifying nights for status, points that don’t expire, and reward night earning.
- Gold Elite: Offers 40% bonus points, 20 qualifying nights, no blackout dates for reward nights, points that don’t expire, and rollover nights for maintaining status in the following year.
- Platinum Elite: Provides 60% bonus points, 40 qualifying nights, no blackout dates, non-expiring points, and rollover nights.
- Diamond Elite: The highest tier, offering 100% bonus points, 70 qualifying nights, dedicated Diamond support, complimentary room upgrades, and all benefits from lower tiers.
Securing IHG Travel Agent Discounts
Travel agents are eligible for substantial discounts at IHG hotels, with potential savings reaching up to 40%. While discount rates can vary and may not be universally applicable across all hotels and dates, travel agents consistently report significant savings.
Accessing Discounted Rates:
When making bookings, always select the “Travel Consultant Discount Rates” option to access these special fares. It is essential to be prepared to present valid identification at check-in:
- IATA ID: Your International Air Transport Association identification card.
- Travel Agent ID Card: A recognized travel agent identification card.
Key conditions for utilizing travel agent rates include:
- Advance Booking: Book at least one day prior to the check-in date.
- Agent Presence: The travel agent must be present and staying in at least one of the booked rooms.
- Documentation: Always carry and be ready to present your valid travel agent ID at check-in. Failure to provide proper documentation may result in the discount being revoked and the standard rate being charged.
IHG Travel Agent Support and Help Resources
IHG provides dedicated support channels to assist travel agents with any queries or issues they may encounter.
Online Help Center:
For general assistance and frequently asked questions, visit the IHG Travel Agent Help Center: https://www.ihgagent.com/s/get-help. You can also utilize the contact form on this page to submit specific inquiries and receive tailored support. The FAQ section addresses many common questions, offering quick solutions to frequent issues.
GDS Support:
For issues related to Global Distribution Systems (GDS) or GDS inquiries, contact the Travel Agent GDS service:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1 800-635-7001 or 1 – 770-604-2001
Customer Care Phone Numbers:
IHG offers customer service phone numbers for various regions. For comprehensive contact details, visit: https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/customer-care/contact-us.html
General Customer Care Number: 0800 022 2822
Regional Phone Numbers:
- United States and Canada: 1-888-211-9874
- Europe, Middle East, and Africa: +800 2222 7172 (or 00800 2222 7172 in many countries)
- Central and South America:
- English: +52 33 4777 2025
- Spanish: +52 33 4777 2023
- Asia/Pacific: +800 2222 7172
By utilizing the IHG Travel Agent portal, understanding the commission structure, taking advantage of training resources, and leveraging available support, travel agents can effectively maximize their partnership with Intercontinental Hotel Group and provide exceptional value to their clients.
